Monday, August 18, 2008

UN disarmament office opened

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: After a long delay, the United Nations Center for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) was opened in the capital Monday.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, asked Asia-Pacific states to work closely with the center to strengthen the capacity of governments and civil society to achieve disarmament goals.The center serves 43 countries in the region.Nnnn

First IFC investment in airline

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: IFC, a soft-lending wing of the World Bank, has invested for the first time $10 million in privately operated Buddha Air to support its expansion and adopt new fuel efficiency measures.“We are pleased to support the development of the aviation sector, which is vital for the country,” said Anita George, IFC Infrastructure Director.IFC had invested $62.7 million in four projects in Nepal before—two in hydropower, one in tourism and one in a leasing company.Nnnn

Controversial deployment of PLA for PM’s inner ring security

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: After CPN (Maoist) decided to deploy PLA for the security of Prime Minister Pushka Kamal Dahal Prachanda, inner ring security for the PM Monday was provided by former combatants during the swearing-in at Shital Niwas Monday.Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Armed Police Force will outer security ring and Nepal Army reinforcement will be called in, if required.Nepal Army upgraded security for the prime minister deploying a 150-man force under a Lt Col. The PLA was deployed at the Office of the Prime Minister as well..“Since the previous decision has not been changed, the PLA will continue providing security to the chairman until further decision,” Deb Gurung said in The Kathmandu Post.“The cabinet will make a final decision,” another Maoist leader Mohan Baidya “Kiran” said.CPN-UML leader Shankar Pokhrel objected the deployment sand told The Himalayan Times,” It is for the government to decide on the PM’s security arrangement, not a party.”It seems that Prachanda still has the psychology of a rebel leader,” said Congress leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat.Nepali Congress, the main opposition in the CA, expressed concern and said the deployment of PLA for the prime minister’s security is a violation of a recent seven-point agreement.Nnnn

Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ to be acting chairman of CPN (Maoist)

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 19 Aug: Senior leader Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ will be the acting Chairman of CPN (Maoist) after a party decision that Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will lead the government, Janmadev Jaisi reports in Rajdhani.An informal party meeting was held Monday to on the leadership of the party and CA.“After the chairman is going to lead the government, it’s not possible for him to look after party affairs,” Maoist central leader Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma said.Preparations are being made for Prachanda to lead the government, Kiran the party and Dinanath Sharma or Deb Gurung the CA, sources said.Maoists shave also decided the composition of their government team.Besides Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’, Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi have been included in the government team.Likewise, a meeting Monday decided on the names of Deb Gurung, Marika Prasad Yadav, Hitman Sakya, Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, Pampha Bhusal, Gopal Khumbu, Jayapuri Gharti Magar and Amrita Thapa.Maoists have been allocated nine ministries.Maoists will appoint state and assistant ministers as well on which a final decision will be taken.Maoists plan to appoint Mahara minister of peace and reconstruction, Gurung local development, Sakya physical planning and Bishwakarma water resources.Ganesh Shah will go into government from CPN (United).[Note: A common minimum programme wasn’t signed by CPN (Maoist), CPN-UML and MJF Monday before the installation of PM Prachanda. CPN-UML is also claiming local development ministry. Maoist leader CP Gajurel charged Monday MJF was a hurdle in government with its demand for ministerial berths.]Nnnn